MULTI purpose vehicles and what are known as crossovers – MPVs that look more like 4x4s – have stormed up the sales charts in recent years, but the pendulum has swung again.

Offering a five-seat MPV simply isn’t enough, you need seven.

And for Ford that created a problem. The Blue Oval’s compact C-MAX model, launched eight years ago, was strictly a five-seater.

Sure, they had a full-blown seven-seater in the Galaxy, and more recently a slightly smaller, more streamlined ‘seven’ in the S-MAX, but nothing offering that number of seats in a compact package.

So when the new generation C-MAX emerged late last year, it hit the streets in two versions – each with its own personality.

There was a regular model, still with five seats but featuring a more muscular coupe-like styling, for people who want more scope than you get in an everyday hatchback, and a seven-seat Grand C-MAX aimed at ‘soccermums’ and folk who like the extra practicality.

Ford also took the opportunity to hone its once mind-boggling engine and specification line-up to the point that there are three petrol and pair of diesel powerplants and just Zetec or Titanium trim.

It’s also the end for any boxy designs because both C-MAX body styles really look the part, particularly the five-door car with its more coupe-like silhouette and sweeping roofline.

And a smart interior is also common to each with soft-touch materials, chrome panelling and a mobile phone-inspired centre console in piano black that was designed in conjunction with Sony.

The sportier-looking five-door model looks the business without compromising its core values – so people expecting lots of head, leg and shoulder room for five won’t be disappointed.

There are three individual seats in the back, plenty of oddment stowage, flip-up trays on the front seat backs, decent boot space and for some added feelgood factor, bright ambient lighting when you open the doors at night.

It may seem an obvious point to make but what I really liked about the seats was that - looking to owners four or five years down the line - the firm, tough fabric feels like it will stand up to the rigours of heavy duty family wear.

The tested model featured the less powerful of the two diesel models available and while it could do with a bit more kick, the unit is perfectly adequate for everyday conditions and well capable of stretching its legs on the motorway.

It’s also very well insulated, has a low CO2 rating of 119g/km and a Combined fuel figure of more than 60 miles per gallon.

While the previous generation C-MAX performed well, this latest car is more agile, more dynamic, quieter and better fun to drive, thanks in no small part to a stiffer chassis, wider track and new electric power steering.

All models are well kitted out with 16-inch alloys, leather steering wheel, air-con, Bluetooth and digital CD/radio as standard while Titanium spec adds the likes of cruise control, seat back tables, leather steering wheel, hill launch assist and keyless start.

Six option packs are also on offer plus stand alone extras like sat-nav with rear view camera, pearlescent paint and 18-inch alloys.